Indulgences
Gaining Indulgences
First we must understand what indulgences are so we don't lapse
into superstition. To do this, basic concepts must be understood,
but before we get to that, let's get a basic definition:
"An indulgence is a remission before God
of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already
been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed
gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of
the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and
applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ
and the saints." (1983 Catechism ¶ 1471)
And here is what indulgences are not: they are not permission
to commit sins in the future; they are not "get out of Hell free" cards;
they are not the forgiveness of the guilt of sin. They have nothing to do with
eternal salvation; they are only for the temporal effects of sins that have
already been forgiven through Penance (or a perfect Act of Contrition, as the
case may be).
Written by Tracy Tucciarone López
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